HOW TO MANAGE STUDENT BATHROOM BREAKS at SCHOOL

This blog post will…

• offer suggestions for setting expectations surrounding bathroom use
• recommend a system for managing bathroom breaks
• suggest 3 helpful resources for managing bathroom breaks

Setting Expectations

The expectation is that nobody uses the restroom when I’m teaching (direct whole-group) instruction, reading a story or during a small group lesson UNLESS it is an absolute emergency.

I’ve found that you need to really define what the word “emergency” means because their go to phrase will be, “I need to use the bathroom. It’s an EMERGENCY.” This phrase will be said with crossed legs while the child bounces up and down for dramatic effect. I explain that an emergency means that if you don’t get to the bathroom immediately you will have an accident. That seems to do the trick. Simply saying “unless it is an emergency” will not. Trust me.

So other than the times listed above, my friends pretty much can go when they need to. I should note that there have been some years that I also apply the absolute emergency rule to independent reading time because some friends will go every day at that time to avoid reading. 

I do only let one boy and one girl go at any given time. I suggest this policy because you will otherwise have social hour going on in the bathroom. They leave the classroom at different times, but mysteriously always return at the same time. Hence, my rule.

System for Bathroom Breaks

• Card System: To keep track of the whereabouts of my littles and to let the students know if the bathroom is “available,” I created a card system. Each of my students is assigned a number (I use this numbering system for everything). I print out a set of cards, laminate for durability and punch a hole in the top. I sort my number cards into boy numbers and girl numbers and put them in numerical order. Next, I add a colorful cover and attach them all together with a metal ring. These cards hang on the wall. From a glance the students can see if someone is already in the bathroom or if they can go. They request to use the bathroom using a hand signal, which I will go into more detail on below. The student then goes over to the cards and flips it to the correct number. This allows me to easily see who is out of the classroom which is especially handy if you have an aide or a student teacher or any other adult who may send a child to the bathroom without you knowing.
• Hand Signals: They use our classroom hand signal during whole group instruction and when I am working with other students (one-on-one, with a set of patterns, or with a small group). This signal is used to let me know they need to use the bathroom and allows me to quickly acknowledge them without interruption.
• Bathroom Log: Some schools require that teachers keep a bathroom log. Even when it is not required, it is a convenient way for students to practice telling and writing time. This data can show if a student is using the bathroom as an avoidance strategy, a self-breaking strategy, or who was in the bathroom during an incident.

Check out this resource here! 

Check out this resource here! 

Check out this resource here! 

Check out this resource here!